Cogworld: A Steampunk Adventure [Open/Interest Check]

History

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Introduction
Hi ya'll! So I've been running this idea over my head and now I think Earth is ready to accept some new faces. Basically, this Earth is a parallel universe where Pangaea divided differently and steam power is still the main power source. New countries have been established and different alliances and wars have happened. When the Condesce decided to conquer Earth, all the countries united under the United Earth Alliance and manged to fully destroy the military force of the trolls. The Condesce was captured and killed, and the trolls- having no leader- stayed on Earth. Those on Alternia heard of the news and chose to travel to Earth as well, fully abandoning their home planet. That's the basic gist of it. Some conventions such as naming of NPCs can and may be broken, but OC naming conventions still apply. Expect to change some parts of your character sheet or the usual way you roleplay. I'm looking for about ten people, all of whom are of any race except fanraces, cherubs, leprechauns, and others. ONLY TROLLS AND HUMANS. No characters who are royalty or are part of a government. Lusii still exist, human guardians cannot be an important figure, and most importantly: KILLING ANOTHER CHARACTER MUST FIRST BE DISCUSSED AND AGREED UPON. I'm basically going to be the narrator/game master. Everything you guys will do will be assessed by me and events that will govern what the course of the entire journey will be given by me. Worldwide events like battles and war will be my problem so you could all just focus on the immediate environment of your OC. Classpects will be rendered useless as this is not a session. Now that that's over, let me show you the countries and continents!

Countries and Continents

• Taria
  
  
  
  • United Federation of Baxton- The UFB has been in total rivalry with the neighboring Caldaksin Empire ever since the Second World Conflict. The president, President Cornelius Harrow, has been running a semi-conservative plan but his inexperience with war will show during the current conflict. A majority of citizens are humans and trolls are welcome. Capital City: Tullford
    
  • Caldksin Empire- A major contender in the world stage, almost half of the landmass of Taria is under the empire's grip. Once a collection of different monarchies, they all united when the old Frallian Kingdom conquered their neighbors. At war with the UFB and The Vericault States, the appearnce of the trolls may either be a blessing or a curse for the emperor. Now, Emperor Madinsk II wears the crown and he welcomes the new race, just as long as they are loyal and obedient to him. There are equal parts troll and human, but trolls are flooding into the country in an alarming rate. Capital City: Marask
    
  • The Vericault States- One the newly formed countries, the Vericault States were once several regions controlled by both the UFB and the Caldaksin Empire. When a rebel group pushed for liberation, the two countries gave in and declared that the regions were now independent. The government is run by a president who must answer to and get advice from a council of advisers, known as the Judges of Vericault. The regions divided themselves into states who all have their own leaders in the form of Senators and they all rule the state in place of the president, whose only purpose is to run the external affairs of the country, When war comes, the president becomes the Lord-General and rules the entire country and the Judges and the Senators merge to become the War Council of Blood. Curently, Lord-General Marcus Arius is campaigning with the UFB against the Caldaksin Empire. Capital City: West Rainhill
    
  
  
  
• Ehepto
  
  
  
  • Republic of Balaksa- Known as the "Star of the East", Balaksa is the richest country on Earth, controlling the movement of trade. Many countries vie for control as the major trading partner of the republic. Ruled by a Grand Merchant voted by the people, the republic has seen war, but has never been an active part of one. Usually, a country would diplomatically declare Balaksa as a neutral ally, one who is not be an active part of the war but will rather support those who they find as allies. Grand Merchant Malaka is now looking at another option: why not actually fight? They have proven themselves as the center of money, why not the center of might as well? As his eyes look west towards Taria, the juicy lands the Caldaksin Empire holds looks promising. Humans and trolls live peacefully in Balaksa and they only allow trolls who are good at making money or good at working hard. Capital City: Majarash
    
  • Barassid Caliphate- Taking territories from the Alkanis Desert and the half of the Green Plateau, the Barassid Caliphate has been growing and shrinking every era. In a political conflict with the nearby Sarracan Sultanate, the Caliphate always gained the upper hand in terms of diplomatic agreements and treaties and conferences and all that, but was always behind in everything else. Caliph Makaba Atunaten has been trying to become a strong partner of trade with the Republic of Balaksa, but is currently on the number 5 spot on their trading list. Right now, they're trying to raise funds to support an army strong enough to finally stop the conflict against the Sarracs. Humans are the only race available here as the Caliph doesn't trust outsiders. Capital City: Solatun
    
  • Sarracan Sultanate- Born of sand and sun, the Sarracs of Sarracan hold the remaining parts of the Alkanis Desert. Bred as sand soldiers, the tough Sarracs are in their element when talking about sand-to-sand combat, which is exactly how they beat their previous neighbors. Right now, they are at an uneasy peace with the Barassid Caliphate but are superior in many aspects. The only thing keeping them from declaring war against them is the fact that the Sultan's brother's son is held as leverage to make sure that they never go back on their word. Sultan Ajabbi Chazava was once a decorated officer, but when he led the military against the previously corrupt sultan, he was crowned as sultan as per tradition: "Whoever leads the people against the oppressor shall carry his burden and become sultan." Now using the same tactics in the military converted to be used politically, a certain rise in power seems imminent. Trolls are a majority race here as only a handful are human citizens due to the fact that only those humans who are capable of surviving the desert can live here. Capital City: Markesh
    
  
  
  
• Northund
  
  
  
  • United Republic of Asdaria- The only country that established itself on the small continent, the United Republic was once a colony of settlers from the old Caldaskin Empire. When news of the Vericault States spread to the colony,
    they rebelled two months later and established the Senate of Progress. The Caldaskin Empire didn't acknowledge the new country at first, but when the Second World Conflict rolled in, the agreement between UFB and the Caldaskin Empire is that they fully recognized Asdaria as a full fledged sovereign state. Now, the country runs on a democracy, led by President Sturbjorn Ashkevich, the Senate of Progress, the House of States, and the Supreme Court of Ice. Seeking to finally give back what the Caldaskin Empire has given them, the Asdari have mobilized their forces and started the long march to Taria. Humans and trolls are welcome and both have equal amounts of citizens in Asdaria. Capital City: Rusca
    
  
  
  
• Drussen
  
  
  
  • Tribes of Chalcana- One of the more stranger instances of liberation and freedom, Chalcana was the homeground of many indigenous tribes who were once under the control of colonists from the UFB. When the tribes rekindled the OCuncil of the Forest, they took it upon themselves to cause the Tribal Revolution. They drove back the colonists and forced a declaration of liberation. Now, the Council dissolved and each individual tribe has been living off freely on the land. The strongest tribe and consequently the lead tribe of Chalcana are the Yabake Tribe under the command of Chief Watatano the Owl. Due to tradition, only humans are allowed to join the tribes but trolls are free to roam the lands as they please. Capital City: Yabake Kano (Land of Yabake)
    
  • Utschenbach Empire- The second empire to grace Earth, the Ustschen have stood the test of time as the beginnings of it were ancient. From being the Ustchenbach Kingdom, to becoming the Republic of Ustchenbach, and finally restoring its monarchy to become he Utschenbach Empire, this country has seen many of the wars and tragedy history has written its story yet those same wars shaped it to become the underdog of the world stage. Still progressing, Emperor Hunter Yutgraften has been collecting scientists from different parts of the world to help improve his new military machinations. The new race and their new machines seem like a good idea and they openly try to get some of them to take citizenship and if some are ever scientifically inclined, they can work for the Scientific Royal Division. Humans and trolls are equal in citizenship and both have equal standards. Capital City: Echelstein
    
  
  
  

Organizations Your Characters May Meet or Join

• The Empress's Guards- Loyal still to the Condesce, they are a small group of trolls that try to continue the original plan to conquer Earth. They use tactics such as terrorism, sabotage, and espionage to further their goals. They operate in underground bases scattered around Earth but have their headquarters in the UFB somewhere.
  
• Menschen Rassisten- Fearing that the trolls are still up to no good, they are a human only group that try to influence the government to abandon the openess to trolls. Their HQ is in the Utschenbach Empire but small groups are scattered throughout those countries who accept trolls.
  
• Fidèle à l'Empereur- Even though Vericault has been free of Caldaskin rule, some loyalists still hold on to the Emperor's influence, calling themselves the Fidèle à l'Empereur (Loyal to the Emperor), they follow out secret orders from a representative in the Emperor's court. They use a variety of ways to accomplish goals and many believe that the FE are the cause of the assassination of a former president. Their main base in Vericault and many groups are scattered across the Caldaskin Empire.
  
• Allegiance of Unity- A mix of troll and human, they are a public group dedicated to having troll acceptance become worldwide. They believe that if both races can happily get along, many of the current world problems such as world hunger, poverty, and corruption may cease. They have no set headquarters and are scattered all across the world, but most groups are concetrated on areas that are not tolerant to trolls.
  
• Pacificadores Imperiales- The police force of the Caldaskin Empire, they try to keep everyone in line and to make them stay in line. If they catch a whiff of disobedience, they immediately mobilize and try to correct them. They have no tolerance for rebellion and are instructed to use force when necessary. They have their HQ in the Empire and only the empire. Currently, both trolls and humans are available applicants.
  
• Guild of Trade and Merchanting- An influential group in the government of Balaksa, they control everything concernin the ways of trade. They are opposing the new plans of the current Grand Merchant and some rumours are flying around that they are gathering a mercenary army and to raise a coup d'etat. Both trolls and humans are welcome and they have an HQ in Balaksa.
  
• INSERT YOUR OWN GROUP HERE- Aside from the organizations above, you will be given a chance to make your own! I will allow two custom organizations and application will be first come, first serve. Just give me the name, the description, HQ, and member composition (IE: Does it allow both humans and trolls or not?).
  

Cities/Towns You can Start In

• All the capital cities
  
• UFB- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Crossfield- a farming town, Crossfield is found near the capital and is where most rich aristocrats have their country houses. Half poor and half rich, Crossfield is an ideal place for an ideal person. Yet some rumours have circulated that a large gathering of suspected members from the Empress's Guards have been seen recently.
    
  • Arachnate- a small city in the outskirts of the country's territory, few could survive the total urban jungle that is Arachnate. The streets are terribly dangerous at night as silent thieves try to rob, kill, or something worse to you. The skies are filled with smoke while tall buildings crowd the entire area.
    
  • Graffia Coast- bustling with ships of every shape, size, and nationality, Graffia has been the window of the trading world to the UFB. A hot pot of many ethnicities, you can see trolls, Sarracs, Balaks, Asdari, and all other cultures in the city.
    
  
  
  
• Caldaksin Empire- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Raxia- called the "City of Pipes", the entire city relies heavily on the steam pumped out by the Main Steam Suppressor Station found in the middle of the entire city. The pipes that connect between two tall building have become pathways and the older pipes that no longer work have become apartments or train tunnels.
    
  • Azadax- deep under the Ferruvial Mountain Range lies the city of Azadax. Due to the large geothermic potential, the Emperor called for an immediate investigation. When it was found that the place was ideal for a mass-scale steam plant, construction was started instantly. When it was finished, the Imperial Ferruvial Steam Plant was established. Many people flocked there to work and when more and more stayed, Azadax was finally built. Most of the working adults work as either miners or mechanics, but those who have risen up the ranks are now office workers. Children are able to work as labourers, couriers, cleaners or- for those of higher class- researchers. They live in box houses that stick to the mountain walls and entrance to the city is a giant vault-door monitored by guards 24/7.
    
  • Matrix- the orderly city of Matrix is the pinnacle of order. The grid city was commisioned to be built by Emperor Garska, the city currently is a as huge success. Many of the Pacificadores Imperiales are stationed here to increase the order and to make sure that no one is out of line. 
    
  
  
  
• The Vericault States- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Garaxa- a former city in the Empire, it's usually called "The Empire in the State". Still retaining the culture of Caldaksin, they still follow the president/lord-general and the Judges of Vericault. Senator Franzia- the leader of the state where Garaxa is- was born when Vericault was still part of the empire and now he's planning to only include imperial culture in terms of some ideal policies, the food, some traditional practices and others but not all.
    
  • Bunker- an ex-UFB state, Bunker was once a city that maufactured almost half of the weapons used. Now, it's just a city that's fully industrialized, making almost all of the goods Vericault exports.
    
  
  
  
• Republic of Balaksa- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Gajapra- known to the outside world as "Old Balaksa", inhabitants of the city of Gajapra are well-known for their conservative ways. The old, oriental style buildings reflect those golden years before Balaksa became the semi-modern, trading capital it is now. It is the only part of Balaksa that doesn't allow any trolls at all to enter as they perceive them as true outsiders.
    
  • Nakataba- the technological centerpiece of Balaksa, Nakataba's University of the Republic Welfare (URW) has housed many famous inventors and was the home of many ingenious designs. Still behind the work both the Caldaskin Empire and the UFB has made throughout the years, small household inventions such as the low-cost brass oven and the pocket-steamer- a small sphere that can store steam for future use, sort of like a battery except it's like a steam punk version. It is both heavily industrialized and commercialized and they sport a huge number of both tourists and mixed citizens.
    
  
  
  
• Barassid Caliphate- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Bun'dali- the city nearest the border between the Caliphate and the Sultanate, it has seen many of the skirmishes and battles the two rival countries have faced. Bearing those scars proudly, Bun'dali has become a sort of "outpost town" where most of the border cavalry rests and stay for a while after a long day of patrolling the border. The sandy, mudbrick houses are now fitted with the latest brass pipes, but since their main line is farther from the national steam plant, the city sometimes experiences severe power losses.
    
  • Fort Sara' ili- the HQ of the caliph's army, Fort Sara' ili's civilians have been used to the trumpets, the drums, the drills, the shouting, and the screaming going on in the main fort. Due to some trust issues, only the families of soldiers are allowed to live around the Fort.
    
  
  
  
• Sarracan Sultanate- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Sharashid- the only city that isn't near any form of water sources such as oases, those who live in Sharashid eventually strive to be a aprt of the Sultan's Riders- an elite cavalry of camel riders personally tested by the Vizier of War.
    
  • Rashidi- the crown of the sultanate's technological wonders, the Academy of the Sand and the Sultan's Archive of Eons are found here. Many of the conveniences the country has- like the sand-crawlers and the steam-camels- were born here.
    
  
  
  
• United Republic of Asdaria- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Frustenheim- the previous capital before they separated from the Caldaskin Empire, Frustenheim is still the most crowded city. Heavily commercialized, some worldwide brands such as Achilles, the leading distributor of steam powered foot bracers, were first established here.
    
  • Snowgarden- a part of the UFB managed to get an agreement with Asdaria to have a small territory that would be under heavy UFB influence after the two clashed in the First World Conflict. Still under Asdaria, Snowgarden has been receiving many tourists from the UFB and some ideologies have passed heavily. Rumours fly that a resistance group trying to overthrow the government make Asdaria part of the UFB.
    
  
  
  
• Tribes of Chalcana- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Rorowanake (River Forest)- home to the fishin tribe of Roro, those who come from here have mastered the art of boating and a re considered the best captains of ships. Most of the humans here have some knowledge in osteam boats but overall are quite in the dark with other technologies.
    
  • Peace City- a chunk of land given by the tribes to some foreign settlers in the hopes of avoiding war. Peace City is the only place where one can openly find a mix of different cultures in a highly conservative place.
    
  
  
  
• Utschenbach Empire- You may start in:
  
  
  
  • Supremeichallen- the most largest but poorest city in the empire, Supremeich as it is usually shortened as, has been openly criticized by every writer on Earth- even their own. Only a few dare to try and move here while those who have stayed ever since its creation have tried to make ways to try and survive but in the end only a few have risen through the ranks. In the middle is the high security prison that caused the city's downfall: Ultrabach Prison, home to every psychotic killer, murderer and thief in the empire.
    
  • Marsellen- the heart of the empire, Marsellen was once the smallest town until it became the gigantic floating city it is now. Ever travelling, Marsellen was created through a collective effort by everyone in the Scientific Royal Division and was officially finished seven months after the Second World Conflict. Through four giant steam propellers, the city stay aloft about 1000 meters above sea level and keeps the citizens depressurized by covering the parts where civilians are with domes and the crew has to maintain the pressure within to counterbalance those outside. Only a few trolls live here due to the fact that the landing of the city is quite rare and only some have catched up to it fast enough to actually migrate there  
    
  
  
  

Players

1. Me as the GM
   
2. temporaryAbsent
   
3. devilishBladesmen
   
4. BurdenKing
   
5. pankrationResolution
   
6. genocidalLibels
   

NOTE: I am looking for cartographers to help me finalize how Earth looks and how some of the cities are laid out. I already have some rough sketches. Just needs some top notch refinement.

I'd like to join. Can I pick where my character lives or it'll be handed out?

You can pick, but the coutries and continents are not finished yet. Please w8 bit, and welcome!

I asked while it was on my mind. Thanks for the answer!

Anybody else who wants to join?

I'm willing to join up, Just hope this one lasts.
Which city would I have to pick if I was interested in starting close to the Utschenbach Empire?

still in the works my friend, but you are welcome to a reserve. and yeah, i agree. the last rp i made was... bleh.

Yo, I'd like to join. Mostly with Noxxia, but without her being royalty or wanting to be royalty, since her character legit never wanted to ascend to the throne anyways. If not her, I guess either Oroelo, or idk. My Gypsy troll

Welcome aboard yo!

Some things I just need from you guys: First, the OC you are going to use. This is to let me search and check some background info from your character sheets in order to add some meat to the outline I've made.
Second, some specifications within the world such as country, city, organizations and affiliates, that sort of stuff.
Lastly, some custom stuff. You may ask favors or some adjustments that I may or may not add. These include custom organizations, connections with another OC, some relationship bits here and there.
You are of course, free to ask further questions such as "Do troll quadrants still apply?"* and "Can I be a wandering nomad?"** so that there can be no misunderstandings.

Note:*Yes but now they only have three quadrants instead of four: Matespritship, Kismesitude and Moirallegiance. This is because human influence caused a change in the view of quadrants of a lot of trolls.
**Yes you may, but you must still specify which country they came from and if they are a troll as this will be juicy bits for the story.

Well, I was going to use Veekus but only a bit older then what his OC sheet depicts.

I'd like to start in Fort Sara' ili with Cara, since she is my only accepted OC for now. (Probably as a soldier in training?)

Okay. I'll make note of that along with some stuff I read from your OC sheet.

I'll join with my new human character, sure.

@BurdenKing
So I've given Noxxia some thought and I think she could still have the title of Heiress but won't be royalty or anything. She would still keep the title but it'll be a sign of being an aristocrat instead, but when some troll related things start going awry, she gets to advise the ruler as an ambassador.

@pankrationResolution
Welcome aboard!

@Everyone
Please do the specifications as I need to customize the events to cater to your OC's needs.

Ah. I'll start in Arachnate, if that's okay, with my character Jomm Bison. He's a member of the Allegiance of Unity.

You can choose to not join any organization, but i think some interesting, connecting storylines are nice. also, nice choice as something is going to happen in that city and i won't say what.

I'm interested in starting out in Supremeichallen, always did like a challenge plus the added recognision that i may gain from such a place.

you are welcome to. but i may have to ask if you have moved there or were there before as the condesce being overthrown happened around 5 years ago and the prison was made only about 3 years ago.

Moved. or should I say I immigrated only recently from when we actually start the RP

alright then. some really nice storyline for this one

I think we can possibly start. we can just wait until other people get interested. i'll probably start the rp thread around a day from now so be on the lookout for that.

Are, you sure we should start? I'm not opposing the idea but I just thought we should wait a little while longer so maybe you can sort out kinks in plot devices and give room if more want to join in. This is just an opinion though, so if you feel that we should start a day from now then i'm fine with it.

alright. let me think about it for a while. some few plot points and events do need to be ironed out a bit but i think we can save some room for future characters.

okay, should we do a sound off for those ready to do this now?